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Thursday, September 27, 2007

ObjectDBX/RealDWG using VB.NET

ObjectDBX is useful because you directly access the DWG file without adding the extra resources needed to actually show the drawing. This means that the performance is really good. All entities, objects based on AcadObject and dictionaries can be accessed.

You cannot have a freestanding application that uses ObjectDBX unless you have AutoCAD running. Either a DLL must be created that is loaded from within AutoCAD with the NETLOAD command or you need to use ActiveX to access or connect to ObjectDBX using the AcadApplication object and the GetInterfaceObject method.

ObjectDBX is actually renamed to RealDWG and if you need to use it without having AutoCAD you need to purchase and license it. RealDWG does not require the presence of AutoCAD software. RealDWG 2008 is the latest version available now.

Below is a sample that starts AutoCAD 2008 and opens a drawing with ObjectDBX.